Page 116 of Unexpected Entanglement

Meredith smiled at her best friend. “Thank you. You’re a makeup artist extraordinaire.”

“Can you stand together for a picture?” asked the wedding photographer Meredith had brought in.

After they took pictures of the bridal party, Rowan checked the clock. She quickly called Jane over the walkie-talkie for a sit-rep, and the event organizer confirmed everything was ready and on schedule. She was glad Chris had suggested to invest on the communication devices.

“It’s time,” Rowan informed the ladies.

“Oh, boy,” Caroline said.

“Can I have a quick minute with Rowan before we head out?” Meredith asked.

Daphne and Caroline nodded and took the bouquets with them, leaving Meredith and Rowan alone.

“Thank you for pulling this together for me.” Meredith held Rowan’s hand.

“Are you kidding? This has been the most memorable thing I’ve ever done for a long time.” Rowan’s mind jumped to Chris. “You have no idea.”

“I’m happy to hear that. I also want to apologize for inviting Richard. I see now that was a mistake,” Meredith said.

“I guess I was projecting my excitement of getting married to wanting you to be in the same place,” Meredith continued. “And I was used to seeing Richard as your plus one, y’know. But when I saw how Chris took care of you when you got sick last night, I knew he was the better man for you.”

Rowan recalled Chris’ gentle hands stroking her back to sleep this morning. He’d even made her a tasty hangover smoothie that Rae had told her to drink as per his instruction. Rowan hadn’t appreciated it earlier, but it did make her feel better.

“I just can’t picture Richard doing the same,” Meredith added with a laugh. “I remember you complaining to me what a crybaby he was when he got sick with a cold, needing you to look up his symptoms and all.”

Rowan laughed. “Richard can find someone else to do that for him.”

“Or he can do it himself, for crying out loud.” Meredith rolled her eyes.

She squeezed Rowan’s hand. “Again, I’m sorry. I see you deserve better.”

“Mer, don’t worry about it. I’ll handle Richard,” Rowan said. “Now we’re going to get you hitched to that awesome man of yours, okay? And we’re going to party our asses off tonight.”

“Let’s go!” Meredith nodded excitedly.

Rowan opened the door for her bride, but before they walked out, Meredith said to her, “I love you, cuz.”

“I love you, too.” Rowan’s eyes watered. “Come on! You’re making me cry before we’re even on the aisle!”

“You ladies ready?” Jane asked when they got to the porch.

They nodded, and off they went. It took all of them to hold up Meredith’s hem so it wouldn’t drag on the grass. But at the staging area where Meredith’s dad, John, waited, Meredith told them a grass stain wouldn’t matter. It’d be a reminder of her wedding’s beautiful setting.

Jane set them up by the entrance sequence and signaled for music. A section of Clair De Lune started in the background. Gripping her small bouquet, Rowan waited for her turn as she watched Martin, Meredith’s little brother, escort their mother out. Then, she looped her hand onto Sam’s groomsman Dwight’s arm and walked out into the aisle lined by entwined twigs and wildflowers.

Seeing the garden transformed into the design Meera and Lily had drawn was surreal. It was the first time she’d seen it completed, with rows of white chairs fenced in with ribbons and more wildflowers. The guests were full of smiles, eager for the bride to make her entrance. Rowan couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Everything is beautiful.

Rowan gazed ahead to the mystical-looking arbor they’d erected at the top of the aisle. Sam was waiting there, standing tall and steady.

That’s a man who knows what he wants.

Rowan smiled at Sam. He returned her smile with a thumbs-up.

Everybody got to their feet as soon as Daphne stood next to her. Rowan couldn’t wait for Sam to see Meredith.

The second Meredith and Uncle John stepped into the aisle, Rowan saw Sam take a deep breath to settle himself. He wasn’t as unnerved as Rowan had thought. His eyes never left his bride until John passed Meredith’s hand to him.

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